Quick-erect carton

ABSTRACT

A quick-erect carton supplied in a collapsed condition in flattened two-sided form with one end and one side panel constituting one side and another end and another side panel constituting the other side, adapted to be erected by opening it up to rectangular form with the end panels at the ends and the side panels at the sides thereof, and with a bottom panel hinged on one side at the bottom of one side panel which initially extends up between the two sides of the collapsed carton, which automatically folds down into the bottom of the carton when the carton is opened, and which is automatically locked at its side opposite its hinge and at both ends.

United States Patllt 1 1 Brangle, Jr.

[54] QUICK-ERECT CARTON [76] Inventor: Edward J. Brangle, Jr., 7054 Amherst Avenue, University City, Mo. 63130 [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 219,080

[52] US. Cl. ..229/41, 229/39, 229/37 [51] Int. Cl ..B65d 5/36, B65d 5/02 [58] Field of Search ..229/41 A, 41 B, 31 F,

, [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1451 May 8,1973

3,137,434 6/l964 Berg ..229/3l I Primary ExaminerDavis T. Moorhead Attorneylrving Powers et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A quick-erect carton supplied in a collapsed Condition in flattened two-sided form with one end and one side panel constituting one side and another end and another side panel constituting the other side, adapted to be erected by opening it up to rectangular form with the end panels at the ends and the side panels at the sidesthereof, and with a bottom panel hinged on one side at the bottom of one side panel which initially extends up between the two sides of the collapsed carton, which automatically folds down into the bottom of the carton when the carton is opened, and which is automatically locked at its side opposite its hinge and at both ends.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures BDYQLBYB TENTEUHAY 3197s SHEUIBFZ QUlCK-ERECT CARTON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to folding cartons, and more particularly toa carton particularly useful as a shoe carton which is supplied in a flat folded condition and which is adapted to be unfolded and erected into its final box form without any further gluing.

The invention is in the same field as the carton shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,066,753 issued Jan. 5, 1937, and involves improvements thereover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects'of the invention may be noted the provision of an improved carton of the class described having a more effective locking of the carton in its erected condition, and the provision of such a carton which is economical to manufacture and convenient to use.

In general, a carton made in accordance with this invention is formed from a blank of carton material to have first and second rectangular end panels and first and second rectangular side panels, with the first end panel hinged at one end thereof to one end of the first side panel, the first side panel hinged at its other end to one end of the second end panel, the second end panel hinged at its other end to one end of the second side panel, and the second side panel hinged at its other end to the other end of the first end panel. The carton is supplied with the end and side panels in a collapsed condition in flattened two-sided form, with one end and one side panel constituting one side and the other end and other side panel constituting the other side of the two-sided collapsed carton, which is adapted to be opened up to rectangular form with the end panels at the ends and the side panels at the sides thereof. Each of the end and side panels has an inside reinforcing flap folded down on the inside of the respective panel on a fold line at the upper edge of the respective panel and adhered to the inside face of the respective panel. The inside reinforcing flap of the second end panel is of lesser height than the height of said second end panel, thereby having its lower edge spaced above the bottom of the second end panel. The inside flap of the second side panel is of lesser height than the height of said second side panel, thereby having its lower edge spaced above the bottom of the second side panel. The inside reinforcing flap of the first end panel has a cutout in the lower corner thereof toward the second side panel. Each of the end panels has a bottom flap hinged to the bottom edge thereof. The first end panel bottom flap has a first glue flap hinged thereto on a line extending at an angle to the hinge at the bottom edge of the first end panel from the end thereof toward the first side panel. The second end panel bottom flap has a second glue flap hinged thereto on a line extending at an angle to the hinge at the bottom edge of the second end panel from the end thereof toward the second side panel. The first side panel has a rectangular bottom panel hinged to the bottom edge thereof and adhered to the first glue flap, this bottom panel having a length corresponding to the length of the side panels and a width corresponding to the width of the end panels. The second side panel has a bottom flap hinged to the bottom edge thereof and adhered to the second glue flap. The bottom panel extends upwardly between the said two sides of the collapsed carton andis adapted to fold down into the bottom of the carton when it is opened. The bottom panel has a first locking tab hinged thereto along its edge opposite the bottom edge of the first side panel adapted to lock in under the lower edge of said inside reinforcing flap of said second side panel, asecond locking tab hinged thereto at its end toward the first end panel adapted to lock into the said cutout, and third locking tab hinged thereto at its end toward the second end panel adapted to lock in under the lower edge of the said inside reinforcing flap of said second end flap, when the carton is opened up and the bottom panelthereby folded down into the bottom of the carton.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view of a blank from which a carton of this invention is manufactured;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a first stage in the manufacture of a carton from the FIG. 1 blank;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a-further stage in the manufacture of the carton;

FIG. 4 is a view in elevation of a completed carton, in its collapsed flat condition as manufactured;

FIG. 5 is a top plan of the carton as it appears when opened up to rectangular form;

FIGI 6 is a bottom plan of the opened-up carton; and

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are vertical sections on lines 7--7, 8-8 and 9--9, respectively, of FIG. 5.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is generally indicated at 1 a blank from which a carton of this invention is formed. This is die cut and scored in the usual manner from suitable cardboard stock to include four rectangular panels 3, 5, 7 and 9 joined end-to-end. Panels 3 and 7 are relatively short (narrow) and constitute end panels of the ultimate cartonpPanels 5 and 9 are relatively longyand constitute side panels of the ultimate carton. End panel 3 and side panel 5 are integrally hinged at a score line 11, side panel 5 and end panel 7 are integrally hinged at a score line 13, and end panel 7 and side panel 9 are integrally hinged at a score line 15. Side panel 9 has a glue flap 17 at its outer end integrally hinged thereto at a score line 19.

An inside reinforcing flap 21 is integrally hinged to the end panel 3 at a score line 23 along its upper edge. This reinforcing flap 21 is of generally rectangular form approximately of the same length and height as the end panel 3 (preferably of slightly smaller length and height than panel 3) except for a first cutout 25 and a second cutout 27 at its outer endQThe first cutout 25 is defined by a line 29 extending at an angle of about 45 to the score line 23 from the outer end of the latter and a line 31 extendingheightwise of the flap 21.The cutout 27 is a generally rectangular cutout at "the outer corner of flap 21, this cutout having an edge 33 extending endwise of the flap and an edge 35 extending heightwise of the flap, these edges being joined by an areuate fillet 37. A triangular bottom flap 39 is integrally hinged to the outer end panel 3 at a score line 41 along its bottom edge. This flap 39 is in the shape of a right-angled isosceles triangle having a base constituted by the score line 41 coextensive in length with the bottom edge of the end panel 3 and outer and inner sides 43 and 45 extending at angles of 45 from the ends of line 41 meeting at the apex indicated at 47. A triangular glue flap 49 is integrally hinged to flap 39 at its inner side 45, which is defined by a score line in the cardboard material of the blank. This flap 49 is in the shape of a relatively small right-angled isosceles triangle having its base constituted by the score line 45.

An inside reinforcing flap 51 is integrally hinged to the side panel Sat a score line 53 along its upper edge. This reinforcing flap 51 is of rectangular form approximately of the same length and height as side panel 5. A carton bottom panel 55 is integrally hinged to the side panel at a score line 57 along its bottom edge. This bottom panel has a length corresponding to the length of the side panels 5 and 9 and a width corresponding to the width of the end panels 3 and 7. A first locking tab 59 is integrally hinged to the bottom panel at a score line 61 along its long edge opposite the hinge 57. This tab 59 extends the full length of the bottom panel 55 and has a'width of about one-seventh the width of the bottom panel. A second locking tab 63 is integrally hinged to the bottom panel on a score line 65 at its end toward the end panel 3. This tab is located at the outer corner of panel 55 at its said end outward of the glue flap 49 and is formed to fit in the cutout 27 as will appear. A third locking tab 67 is integrally hinged to the bottom panel 55 on a score line 69 at its other end (its end toward end panel 7). This third locking tab extends the full width of the bottom panel, with a 45 taper as indicated at 71 at its end toward panel 7 and has a width corresponding generally to that of tab 59.

An inside reinforcing flap 73 is integrally hinged to the end panel 7 at a score line 75 along its upper edge. This flap is of rectangular form having a length slightly less than the width of the end panel and a width generally equal to the height of the end panel 7 minus the width of the end locking tab 67 on the bottom panel 55. Its outer edge is specially designated 73a. A triangular bottom flap 77 is integrally hinged to the end panel 7 at a score line 79 along its bottom edge. This bottom flap 77 is identical to flap 39. Its sides (corresponding to 43 and 45) are designated 81 and 83, and it has a triangular glue flap 85 identical to flap 49 integrally hinged thereto at side 83, which is defined by a score line as at 45.

An inside reinforcing flap 87 is integrally hinged to the side panel 9 at a score line 89 along its upper edge. This reinforcing flap 87 is of rectangular form approximately of the same length as panel 9, but having a height generally equal to the height of the side panel 9 minus the width of the locking tab 59 on the bottom panel 55. Its outer edge is specially designated 87a. A rectangular bottom flap 91 is integrally hinged to the side panel 9 at a score line 93 along its bottom edge. This flap 91 is of rectangular form approximately of the same length as panel 9 and having a width approximating the altitude of the triangular flap 77 (which is about three-fourths the height of the side and end panels).

To form the blank 1 into the folded or collapsed carton of this invention, the reinforcing flaps 21, 51, 73 and 87 are folded over on the respective score or hinge lines 23, 53, and 89 into inside-face-to-inside-face relation with the respective panels 3, 5, 7 and 9 and adhered to the latter by means of a suitable adhesive such as indicated at A. This is illustrated in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the next step in the formation of the folded or collapsed carton involve the folding up of bottom flaps 39 and 77 on the hinge lines at 41 and 79 to lie flat on the reinforcing flaps 21 and 73 of the end panels 3 and 7, the folding over of the glue flaps 49 and -on the hinge lines at 45 and 83 to lie flat on the outside of flaps 39 and 77, the folding up of the bottom panel 55 and the bottom flap 91 on the hinge lines at 57 and 93 to lie flat on the reinforcing flaps 51 and 87 of the side panels 5 and 9, and the application of adhesive as indicated at B to the exposed faces of the glue flaps 49 and 85. Adhesive is applied as indicated at C to the glue flap 17 at the end of panel 91. Then, the end panel 3 together with its inside reinforcing flap 21, bottom flap 39 and glue flap 49 are folded over on the hinge line at 11 to overlie the upturned bottom panel 55, and the side panel 9 together with its inside reinforcing flap 87, bottom flap 91 and glue flap 17 are folded over on the hinge line at 15 to overlie the bottom panel 55 with the glue flap 17 overlying the end panel 3 and being adhered thereto by the adhesive C. Upon such folding over, the bottom panel 55 becomes adhered at its lower left-hand corner as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the glue flap 49 by the adhesive B on flap 49. Flap 91 becomes adhered at its left end as viewed in FIG. 3 (which becomes its right end in FIG. 4) to the glue flap 85 by the adhesive B on flap 85.

The resultant carton structure (FIG. 4) comprises the first and second rectangular end panels 3 and 7 and the first and second rectangular side panels 5 and 9 with the first end panel 3 hinged at one end thereof (at 11) to one end of the first side panel 5, the first side panel 5 hinged at its other end (at 13) to one end'of the second end panel 7, the second end panel 7 hinged at its other end (at 15) to one end of the second side panel 9, and the second side panel 9 hinged at its other end (at 19) to the other end of the first end panel 3. The carton is supplied as shown in FIG. 4 with said end panels 3 and 7 and side panels 5 and 9 in collapsed condition in flattened two-sided form with end panel 3 and side panel 9 constituting one side and end panel 7 and side panel 5 constituting the other side of the two-sided collapsed carton, which is adapted to be opened up to rectangular form as shown in FIG. 5 with the end panels 3 and 7 at the ends and the side panels 5 and 9 at the sides thereof. Each of the end panels 3 and 7 and side panels 5 and 9 has an inside reinforcing flap 21, 73, 51, 87 folded down on the inside of the respective panel on a fold line (23, 75, 53, 89) at the upper edge of the respective panel and adhered to the inside face of the respective panel. The inside reinforcing flap 73 of the second end panel 7 is of lesser height than the height of said second end panel and thereby has its lower edge 73a spaced above the bottom of said second end panel. The inside reinforcing flap 87 of the second side panel 9 is of lesser height than the height of said second side panel, and thereby has its lower edge 87a spaced above the bottom of said second side panel. The

inside reinforcing flap 21 of the first end panel 3 has the cutout 27 in the lower corner thereof toward the second side panel 9. Each of the end panels 3 and 7 has a bottom flap (39, 77) hinged (at 41, 79) to the bottom edge thereof. The first end panel bottom flap 39 has the first glue flap 49 hinged thereto on line 45 extending at an angle to the hinge 41 at the bottom edge of the first end panel from the end thereof toward the first side panel 5. The second end panel bottom flap 77 has the second glue flap 77 hinged thereto on line 83 extending at an angle to the hinge 79 at the bottom edge of the second end panel from the end thereof toward the second side panel 9. The first side panel 5 has the rectangular bottom panel 55 hinged to the bottom edge 57 thereof and adhered to the first glue flap 49. This bottom panel 55 has a length corresponding to the length of the side panels and a width corresponding to the width of the end panels. The second side panel 9 has the bottom flap 91 hinged at 93 to the bottom edge thereof and adhered to the second glue flap 85. The bottom panel 55 extends upwardly between the said two sides of the collapsed carton and is adapted to fold down into the bottom of the carton when it is opened. The bottom panel 55 has the first locking tab 59 hinged thereto at 61 along its edge opposite the bottom edge of the first side panel 5 adapted to lock in under the lower edge 87a of the inside reinforcing flap 87 of the second side panel 9, the second locking tab 63 hinged thereto at 65 at its end toward the first end panel 3 adapted to lock into the cutout 27, and the third locking tab 67 hinged thereto at 69 at its end toward the second end panel 7 adapted to lock in under the lower edge 73a of the inside reinforcing flap 73 of the second end flap 7, when the carton is opened up and the bottom panel 55 thereby folded down into the bottom of the carton.

To open the carton from its FIG. 4 flat collapsed condition, its ends at 11 and are pushed in toward one another to cause the end and side panels to open up to the rectangular box form shown in FIGS. 5-9. As the end panels 3 and 7 swing into their open position perpendicular to the side panels 5 and 9, their bottom flaps 39 and 77 swing down from their collapsed position folded up on the inside of the reinforcing fiaps 27 and 73 of the end panels. In swinging down, flap 77 with its glue flap b5 adhered to bottom flap 91 pulls down the bottom flap 91 to the position shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, and flap 39 with its glue flap 49adhered to the bottom panel 55 pulls down the bottom panel 55 into the bottom of the opened-up carton to the position shown in FIGS. 5-9 overlying the flaps 39, 77 and 91. The glue fiaps 49 and 85 assume a position essentially coplanar with flaps 39 and 77. The first locking tab 59 at the free side of the bottom panel 55 folds up perpendicular to the bottom panel and locks in under the lower edge 87a of the inside reinforcing flap 87 of the second side panel 9 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The second locking tab 63 at the end of the bottom panel 55 toward the first end panel 3 folds up perpendicular to the bottom panel and locks into the cutout 27 in the inside reinforcing flap 21 of the first end panel 3 (see FIG. 7). The third locking tab 67 at the end of the bottom panel 55 toward the second end panel 7 folds up perpendicular to the bottom panel 55 and locks in under the lower edge 73a of the inside reinforcing flap 73 of the second end panel (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

Thus, the bottom panel 55 is locked in position at the bottom of the opened carton against folding upward completely along its side at 59 (see FIG. 9), substantially completely along its end at 67 (see FIG. 8), and by the tab 63 at its other end and toward its free side (where such locking is most important), and it is held up against folding down out of the bottom of the carton by the flap 91 which is in turn held up by flaps 39 and 77. It will be noted from FIG. I particularly that the tab 63 lies outward (downward as viewed in FIG. 1) from the flap 49, and is constituted by part of the carton material that would otherwise be cut away in forming the flaps 39 and 77. Similarly, tab 67 is constituted by part of the carton material that would otherwise be cut away in forming the flaps 77 and 8.5.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. i

What is claimed is:

1. A carton formed from a blank of carton material having first and second rectangular end panels and first and second rectangular side panels with the first end panel hinged at one end thereof to one end of the first side panel, the first side panel hinged at its other end to one end of the second end panel, the second end panel hinged at its other end to one end of the second side panel, and the second side panel hinged at its other end to the other end of the first end panel, said carton being supplied with said end and side panels in a collapsed condition in flattened two-sided form with one end and one side panel constituting one side and the other end and other side panel constituting the other side of the two-sided collapsed carton, which is adapted to be opened up to rectangular form with the end panels at their ends and the side panels at the sides thereof, each of the end and side panels having an inside reinforcing flap folded down on the inside of the respective panel on fold line at the upper edge of the respective panel and adhered to the inside face of the respective panel, the inside reinforcing flap of the second end panel being of lesser height than the height of said second end panel and thereby having its lower edge spaced above the bottom of said second end panel, the inside flap of the second side panel being of lesser height than the height of said second side panel and thereby having its lower edge spaced above the bottom of said second sidepanel, the inside reinforcing flap of the first end panel having a cutout at the bottom thereof, each of the end panels having a bottom flap hinged to the bottom edge thereof, the first end panel bottom flap having a first glue flap hinged thereto on a [line extending at an angle to the hinge at the bottom edge of the first end panel from the end thereof toward the first side panel, the second end panel bottom flap having a second glue flap hinged thereto on a line extending at an angle to the hinge at the bottom edge of the second end panel from the end thereof toward the second side panel, the first side panel having a rectangular bottom panel hinged to the bottom edge thereof and adhered to the first glue flap, said bottom panel having a length corresponding to the length of the side panels and a width corresponding to the width of the end panels, the second side panel having a bottom flap hinged to the bottom edge thereof and adhered to the second glue flap, said bottom panel extending upwardly between the said two sides of the collapsed carton and being adapted to fold down into the bottom of the carton when it is opened, said bottom panel having a first locking tab hinged thereto along its edge opposite the bottom edge of the first side panel adapted to lock in under the lower edge of said inside reinforcing flap of said second side panel, a second locking tab hinged thereto at its end toward the first end panel adapted to lock into said cutout, and a third locking tab hinged thereto at its end toward the second end panel adapted to lock in under the lower edge of the said inside reinforcing flap of said second end flap, when the carton is opened up and the bottom panel thereby folded down into the bottom of the carton.

2. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first locking tab on the bottom panel extends substantially the full length of said bottom panel.

3. A carton as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cutout of the said inside reinforcing flap of the first end panel is in the lower corner thereof toward the second side panel, and said second locking tab, in the blank from which the carton is formed, is outward of the said first glue flap.

4. A carton as set forth in claim 3 wherein said third locking tab extends substantially the full width of the bottom panel and has a tapered end at its end toward the second end panel bottom flap. 

1. A carton formed from a blank of carton material having first and second rectangular end panels and first and second rectangular side panels with the first end panel hinged at one end thereof to one end of the first side panel, the first side panel hinged at its other end to one end of the second end panel, the second end panel hinged at its other end to one end of the second side panel, and the second side panel hinged at its other end to the other end of the first end panel, said carton being supplied with said end and side panels in a collapsed condition in flattened two-sided form with one end and one side panel constituting one side and the other end and other side panel constituting the other side of the two-sided collapsed carton, which is adapted to be opened up to rectangular form with the end panels at their ends and the side panels at the sides thereof, each of the end and side panels having an inside reinforcing flap folded down on the inside of the respective panel on fold line at the upper edge of the respective panel and adhered to the inside face of the respective panel, the inside reinforcing flap of the second end panel being of lesser height than the height of said second end panel and thereby having its lower edge spaced above the bottom of said second end panel, the inside flap of the second side panel being of lesser height than the height of said second side panel and thereby having its lower edge spaced above the bottom of said second side panel, the inside reinforcing flap of the first end panel having a cutout at the bottom thereof, each of the end panels having a bottom flap hinged to the bottom edge thereof, the first end panel bottom flap having a first glue flap hinged thereto on a line extending at an angle to the hinge at the bottom edge of the first end panel from the end thereof toward the first side panel, the second end panel bottom flap having a second glue flap hinged thereto on a line extending at an angle to the hinge at the bottom edge of the second end panel from the end thereof toward the second side panel, the first side panel having a rectangular bottom panel hinged to the bottom edge thereof and adhered to the first glue flap, said bottom panel having a length corresponding to the length of the side panels and a width corresponding to the width of the end panels, the second side panel having a bottom flap hinged to the bottom edge thereof and adhered to the second glue flap, said bottom panel extending upwardly between the said two sides of the collapsed carton and being adapted to fold down into the bottom of the carton when it is opened, said bottom panel having a first locking tab hinged thereto along its edge opposite the bottom edge of the first side panel adapted to lock in under the lower edge of said inside reinforcing flap of said second side panel, a second locking tab hinged thereto at its end toward the first end panel adapted to lock into said cutout, and a third locking tab hinged thereto at its end toward the second end panel adapted to lock in under the lower edge of the said inside reinforcing flap of said second end flap, when the carton is opened up and the bottom panel thereby folded down into the bottom of the carton.
 2. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first locking tab on the bottom panel extends substantially the full length of said bottom panel.
 3. A carton as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cutout of the said inside reinforcing flap of the first end panel is in the lower corner thereof toward the second side panel, and said second locking tab, in the blank from which the carton is formed, is outward of the said first glue flap.
 4. A carton as set forth in claim 3 wherein said third locking tab extends substantially the full width of the bottom panel and has a tapered end at its end toward the second end panel bottom flap. 